A recent survey carried out in Peasedown St John has revealed that residents are fed up with having to pay the extortionate bus fares set by First Bus.

Before Christmas, local B&NES Councillor Nathan Hartley and Somer Valley FM Radio show host Matt Clifford teamed up to carry out the survey seeking residents views. 

Overall, 100% of respondents said that the current fares were too high. It currently costs £4.10 for an adult return ticket between Peasedown St John and Bath. 

Conservative plans to give tax cuts to just married couples have been the subject of further criticism this week by members of the local Liberal Democrat Party.

Senior Lib Dem Gail Coleshill, who is standing as the party’s Parliamentary Candidate in North East Somerset, believes giving out tax breaks based on marital status is unfair. She said:

“When I first heard that the Conservatives, who have been very slow in coming forward with new policies, wanted to give a tax cut just to people who were married I couldn’t believe my ears.

As a Lib Dem I believe we need to make taxation fairer by giving tax cuts to people based on earnings – not on whether they are married or not.

If the Liberal Democrats win the next General Election we will raise the income tax threshold to £10,000 – so if your household income is below this amount you wouldn’t pay any tax at all.”  

Initial budget announcements made by the Conservative-run B&NES Council are facing criticism from Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Councillor David Dixon (Walcot), who shadows the Resources portfolio, commented:

“These budget announcements are merely short term ‘surface dressing’ to mask the many cuts in this year’s budget and in future years.

“The Conservatives should be upfront about where the money is coming from. These extras are being paid for out of funds set aside for risks, which can now be reallocated, but this is one-off money and won’t be repeated in future years.

 “Exceptional funds should be allocated to ‘invest-to-save’ projects to help soften the impacts of future pressures and to give the support the Council services need to reshape in light of the huge savings that will be needed in future years.”